Munaretto announces candidacy for Algonquin Township supervisor

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Former McHenry County Board member Marc Munaretto issued the following news release on Thursday:

After 14 years of service to the residents of McHenry County, Marc has retired from the County Board District 1 and he has placed his name in nomination for the position of Algonquin Township Supervisor in the February 26, 2013 Primary Election.

The Township Supervisor’s primary role is prudently managing the $10,000,000 in assets that comprise Algonquin Township and the Road District. The Supervisor’s responsibilities include levying taxes, managing township cash and investments, budgeting for the operations of the township and properly allocating resources to the various functions of the Township, like the property assessment function. The Supervisor is both the chief financial officer and the chief administrative officer of the Township.

Marc brings his extensive public finance and business management skills to the Township. Skills that were evidenced in his performance as the long time Chairman of the County’s Finance and Audit Committee and the contribution he made to promoting fiscal policies that resulted in a Aaa credit rating from Moody’s Investor Services. In addition, Marc’s aggressive economic development agenda aided numerous businesses in the County both through his leadership as a Director of the McHenry County EDC but also as the chief marketer of the County’s revolving loan fund and Recovery Zone Facility bonds when they were available.

Marc has chosen to run for this position: (i) to bring greater financial controls including a strategic plan for township business, (ii) to reduce the township’s excessive 10 months of property taxes in a cash reserve; (iii) to implement effective budgeting and cash management; (iv) to enhance programming for seniors in the township; (v) to assist the unemployed by forming a “Jobs Club” providing our unemployed residents with a place to meet, to network, to use township technology in their job search and to obtain job search and skills assistance; and, (vi) to provide assistance to our Township Veterans by combining our efforts with the McHenry County Veteran’s Assistance Commission.

Marc proposes to be a full time Supervisor and to dedicate the time to properly managing the business of the Township. The current Supervisor has experienced frequent absences during the past 4 years due to health and other issues. In her absence, two non elected personnel have been left with the task of managing the township and its $10 million in combined finances. Some of the financial issues that need more focus include: updating the Township investment policy; obtaining Board approval of the banks that may hold township funds; a clear and transparent audit policy; a well thought out business continuity plan in the event of a catastrophe that could prevent the township from operating; a plan to protect the computer based accounting, investment and property assessment records of the Township; and, controlled authority to have officers of the township sign checks in the event the Supervisor is incapacitated.

The Township needs a better and much more contemporary focus on financial disciplines and improved budgeting methodologies. The current Supervisor, for example, increased expenses in the 2012-2013 budget by $300,000 over last year even as tax payers in the Township have been begging for relief from high taxes. In addition, property tax cash reserves in township funds have continued to grow and are now at about 10 months. The need to carry cash in reserve to pay for almost a full year’s expenses is not appreciated by overtaxed township taxpayers. And yet, the current Supervisor levied another 2.65% tax INCREASE in November, 2012.

If elected, Marc’s focus will be:

• Lowering taxes by freezing the Levy

• Lowering the cost of government by preparing a strategic plan that focuses on where our electors want township government to be in 3 or 5 years

• Examining and evaluating core services of the township and programs that pay for themselves

• Providing services the community wants and needs, at no cost to the taxpayer such as:

• Helping the unemployed Job search and network by engaging the McHenry County Work Force Investment Board the Illinois Employment Training Center and local businesses to help unemployed Township residents obtain needed skills and jobs

• Engaging the County’s Veteran Assistance Commission as an outreach to Township Veterans who deserve and are entitled to receive services from the military and the Federal government•

• Enhancing Senior programming like:

– Health and wellness, tying in with local healthcare providers like Centegra and Mercy

– Fitness

– Senior support services

• Collaborating with our local communities – exploring shared services and focusing on reducing the burden and the cost of government

• Engaging with the Community

• Making time to be involved in community associations that benefit the entire Township.